Saturday, August 13, 2005

Scranton Eagles

STAFF REPORT

08/13/2005

A franchise desperately trying to survive, the Scranton Eagles’ season improved without even having to play.

Thanks to back-to-back forfeits against the Green Mountain Gladiators and the Amsterdam Zephyrs, the once powerful Eagles improved to 3-2 overall in the fledgling Empire Football League and with the layoff had a chance to regroup and recover after a devastating 53-7 defeat at Montreal.

Despite their recent fortunes, the on-field schedule doesn’t get easier for the young roster of players. Tonight at 7:30, the Eagles host powerful Orange County at Scranton Memorial Stadium. The undefeated Bulldogs have dismantled their five opponents by an average of 25 points a game.

The Eagles secondary is going to be faced with a daunting task. Orange County is led by quarterback Jared Pillitteri, who threw for 313 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Watertown. Wide receiver Ricky McVay hauled in all five scoring tosses.

“Orange County is a great team,” first-year Eagles coach Mike Woodard said. “ But beatable.”

It’s been a tough rebuilding season for the 10-time EFL champion Eagles. In their two losses, they have been beaten 49-0 by the Albany Metro Maulers and 53-7 by Montreal. Their lone on-field victory came at home against Ottawa, 32-7.

Among the team’s leaders, running back Gary Visnofsky has run for 114 yards, receiver Eric Paroby has eight receptions for 163 yards and linebacker George Romiti, who has played in 128-straight games, has 44 tackles.

Veteran quarterback John Kennedy, playing in his 23rd season, has completed 19 passes for 255 yards giving him 38,376 yards in his career.